Some conspiracy theories aren’t cheap

[n2doc]

By Steve Benen

When congressional Republicans pursue discredited “scandals,” the principal complaint is about productivity: it’s a waste of time. There’s a lot of real work for Congress to do, and it’s discouraging to see lawmakers invest so much energy in pointless conspiracy theories.

But there’s a secondary complaint that gets less attention: it’s a waste of money, too.

We learned about a month ago, for example, that congressional Republicans’ inquiry into the debunked IRS controversy had cost, through mid-February, $14 million. The IRS also concluded that 255 agency employees had logged almost 100,000 hours in accommodating congressional inquiries in the matter.

And as the Associated Press reported late yesterday, it’s not the only expensive inquiry.
The Pentagon says Congress’ multiple investigations of the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, have cost the department millions of dollars and thousands of hours of personnel time.

In a March 11 letter, the Pentagon described repetitive requests for information from about 50 congressional hearings, briefings and interviews. The department was responding to a Feb. 4 letter from Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

“The total cost of compliance with Benghazi-related congressional requests sent to the department and other agencies is estimated to be in the millions of dollars,” the Pentagon said.

more

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/some-conspiracy-theories-arent-cheap

[OnyxCollie]

1. It's public funds used for political campaigning.

Hatch Act be damned.

[wandy]

2. When you consider that Benghazi is about every third word that...........

comes out of the mouths of rank and file Teapublicans , from a GOP perspective they must consider this to have been a good tax dollar investment.
Don't you just hate how Obama covered this up? Aren't you afraid of what the next liberal president might do?

A far higher return on investment for the GOP than say, roads, or clean water or health care or other low yeld stuff like that.
And.... We get to pay for it!

[Gothmog]

3. Issa is a liar and a thug

Issa loves to waste money

[zappaman]

4. I don't agree.

I think he is more of a shithead or big fucking asshole.
How that guy holds on to office is beyond me.